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NBA Draft Rights Held: Southwest Division

September 1st, 2017 at 2:11pm CST by Luke Adams

When top college prospects like Markelle Fultz or Lonzo Ball are drafted, there’s virtually no doubt that their next step will involve signing an NBA contract. However, that’s not the case for every player who is selected in the NBA draft, particularly for international prospects and second-round picks.

When an NBA team uses a draft pick on a player, it gains his NBA rights, but that doesn’t mean the player will sign an NBA contract right away. International prospects will often remain with their professional team overseas for at least one more year to develop their game further, becoming “draft-and-stash” prospects. Nikola Mirotic, Dario Saric, and Bogdan Bogdanovic are among the more notable players to fit this bill in recent years.

However, draft-and-stash players can be former NCAA standouts too. Sometimes a college prospect selected with a late second round pick will end up playing overseas or in the G League for a year or two if there’s no space available on his NBA team’s 15-man roster.

While these players sometimes make their way to their NBA teams, others never do. Many clubs around the NBA currently hold the rights to international players who have remained overseas for their entire professional careers and are no longer viewed as top prospects. Those players may never come stateside, but there’s often no reason for NBA teams to renounce their rights — those rights can sometimes be used as placeholders in trades.

For instance, earlier this summer, the Pacers and Raptors agreed to a trade that sent Cory Joseph to Indiana. Toronto was happy to move Joseph’s salary and didn’t necessarily need anything in return, but the Pacers had to send something in the deal. Rather than including an NBA player or a draft pick, Indiana sent Toronto the draft rights to Emir Preldzic, the 57th overall pick in the 2009 draft.

Preldzic is currently playing for Galatasaray in Turkey, and at this point appears unlikely to ever come to the NBA, but his draft rights have been a useful trade chip over the years — the Pacers/Raptors swap represented the fourth time since 2010 that Preldzic’s NBA rights have been included in a trade.

This week, we’re taking a closer look at the players whose draft rights NBA teams currently hold, sorting them by division. These players may eventually arrive in America and join their respective NBA teams, but many will end up like Preldzic, plying their trade overseas and having their draft rights used as pawns in NBA trades.

Here’s a breakdown of the draft rights held by Southwest teams:

Dallas Mavericks

Petteri Koponen, G (2007; No. 30): Playing in Spain.
Stanko Barac, C (2007; No. 39): Last played in Italy.
Renaldas Seibutis, G (2007; No. 50): Playing in Lithuania.
Satnam Singh, C (2015; No. 52): Playing in G League (Texas Legends).

Houston Rockets

Venson Hamilton, F (1999; No. 50): Retired.
Serhiy Lishchuk, F/C (2004; No. 49): Last played in Spain.
Axel Hervelle, F (2005; No. 52): Playing in Spain.
Sergio Llull, G (2009; No. 34): Playing in Spain.
Jon Diebler, G (2011; No. 51): Playing in Turkey.
Marko Todorovic, F/C (2013; No. 45): Playing in Russia.
Alessandro Gentile, G/F (2014; No. 53): Playing in Italy.
Isaiah Hartenstein, F/C (2017; No. 43): Playing in G League.

Memphis Grizzlies

Wang Zhelin, C (2016; No. 57): Playing in China.

New Orleans Pelicans

Latavious Williams, F/C (2010; No. 48): Playing in Spain.

San Antonio Spurs

Robertas Javtokas, C (2001; No. 55): Retired.
Viktor Sanikidze, F (2004; No. 42): Last played in Greece.
Sergei Karaulov, C (2004; No. 57): Playing in Russia.
Erazem Lorbek, F/C (2005; No. 46): Last played in Italy.
Giorgos Printezis, F (2007; No. 58): Playing in Greece.
Adam Hanga, G/F (2011; No. 59): Playing in Spain.
Nemanja Dangubic, F (2014; No. 54): Playing in Serbia.
Nikola Milutinov, C (2015; No. 26): Playing in Greece.
Olivier Hanlan, G (2015; No. 42): Playing in G League.
Cady Lalanne, F/C (2015; No. 55): Playing in Italy.
Jaron Blossomgame, F (2017; No. 59): Playing in G League.

Previously:

Information from Mark Porcaro and Basketball Insiders was used in the creation of this post.

Southwest Notes: Noel, Withey, Spurs, Rockets

August 29th, 2017 at 9:52pm CST by marksuleymanov

After months of uncertainty, Nerlens Noel agreed to a one-year, $4.1MM qualifying offer with the Mavericks, returning to the team that acquired him at the trade deadline last season. The former first round pick (sixth overall) from the 2013 NBA Draft has seen his stock derailed due to numerous injuries but his return provides Dallas with stability at center, Earl K. Sneed of NBA.com writes.

Noel, still just 23 years old, posted 8.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.0 SPG and 1.1 BPG in 22 games with Mavericks after the deal. While a return was far from certain for most of the offseason, Noel can now focus on strengthening the team’s core and building on the experiences that made Dallas an appealing destination for him.

“You know, I learned a lot,” Noel said. “I met a lot of great people and I started a lot of great relationships. And being around all the vets they have around here, it’s definitely something I took in with all the knowledge and all the small habits that help you succeed in this league for the duration of time that you’re in it. It’s been great. I love Dallas. You know, in my short time here, I’ve really enjoyed it. I think it’s been a great time. And with the pieces that we have and the opportunities that will be seen in the near future, I think there’s a lot to be excited for.”

Read below for additional news around the Southwest Division:

In addition to Noel, the Mavericks have shored up their depth at center by signing 27-year-old Jeff Withey to a two-year deal, according to Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). Withey, 27, appeared in 102 games off the bench for the Jazz the last two seasons.
With Noel’s return confirmed, Dallas Sports Day has compiled a feature highlighting 10 important facts about the center’s life and career.
Jorge Sierra of Hoops Hype previews the Spurs‘ 2017/18 as he examines the team’s additions, subtractions, incumbents, and salaries.
Rockets owners Leslie Alexander has increased his donation to aid the recovery from Hurricane Harvey to $10MM, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle writes.

Latest On Kyrie Irving Trade

August 28th, 2017 at 5:21pm CST by Luke Adams

The biggest trade of the NBA offseason remains in flux, as the Cavaliers determine what their next move is after conducting a physical exam on Isaiah Thomas‘ troublesome hip. According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders (Twitter link), the two teams have until 9:00am central time on Thursday to finalize an agreement on the trade, though they could agree to extend that deadline.

As Kyler explains (Twitter links), the concern from the Cavaliers’ side appears to stem from the Celtics‘ assessment of Thomas’ hip. Boston believed that the veteran point guard wouldn’t require surgery on his hip, but Cavs doctors aren’t as certain about that diagnosis, which is why Cleveland is believed to be seeking further compensation. Still, as of Sunday, the Cavs hadn’t formally asked the C’s for more pieces, per Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com (Twitter link).

Here’s more on the mega-deal as we wait to see if it becomes fully official:

If the Cavaliers fear that Thomas will miss a chunk of the 2017/18 season due to the hip injury, acquiring another asset that could help them improve their point guard depth figures to be a priority, tweets Kyler. Kyler suggests (via Twitter) that adding Terry Rozier to the Irving deal could be one option, but notes that adding another draft pick would also make sense, since that pick could potentially be attached to Iman Shumpert in a separate trade.
Speaking of Shumpert, the Cavs are still looking to trade him, writes Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com. Pluto adds that there’s still not much interest in Shumpert, who will be difficult to move, though Kyler tweets that teams like the Rockets, Mavericks, and Bulls have expressed some interest — it’s not clear if those teams are all still viable trade partners for Cleveland.
Both teams have plenty to lose if they were to void this trade, according to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today, who expects the Celtics and Cavs to find a way to get it done, even if one team is a bit less happy about the outcome. A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com also presents five reasons why the deal will eventually be completed.
At least one player involved in the trade apparently anticipates it being finalized. As Vardon details in a Cleveland.com article, Jae Crowder has been photographed wearing Cavaliers gear. Vardon adds (via Twitter) that Crowder took his physical with the Cavs last week and is looking forward to playing for the franchise.

Kevin Durant Discusses Rival Teams’ Offseason Moves

August 27th, 2017 at 3:44pm CST by ChrisCrouse

The NBA had one of its most unpredictable offseasons in recent memory and Kevin Durant, who joined the Warriors last offseason before re-signing with them this summer, believes Golden State’s moves have caused other teams to be more active. Durant was particularly impressed with the Rockets’ acquisition of Chris Paul, as he tells The Ringer’s Bill Simmons.

“I think it was a great move,” Durant said. “You put two guys together that — crafty with the ball like that — they’re going to get everybody shots, and they’re going to get each other shots, so it was a ballsy move to pull off by [Daryl] Morey. And I don’t think nobody would have thought to do that, because especially when you’ve got James, who basically plays your point guard, you really have to have some type of clarity when you’re making a decision like that. Because it’s just like, you played well last year, but this — he cannot sustain this. You gotta know that. You can’t; just look at the numbers. So you can tell that he’s actually seeing some stuff within this team. He’s paying attention.”

The move gives James Harden, who played alongside Durant for three seasons, an opportunity to play alongside a future Hall of Famer and it gives the team an opportunity to compete with the Warriors this season. Harden isn’t the only former teammate of Durant’s who received help this summer, as Oklahoma City added Paul George from the Pacers. According to Durant, Indiana made a foolish trade.

“[The trade] was shocking because Indiana just gave him away,” Durant said before adding that he envisions George playing significant minutes at the four spot this season. The 2013/14 continued to discuss OKC, telling Simmons that his former team needs one more addition. “They need another wing,” Durant opined.

Durant went on to talk about another one of his former teammates—Dion Waiters. The 2013/14 MVP believes Waiters, who re-signed with Miami on a four-year, $52MM deal this summer, could have received an even larger deal had the shooting guard been more dedicated earlier in his career. Waiters previously discussed how he didn’t get in “world-class shape” until he inked a deal with the Heat last offseason.

Nene Looks Forward To Harden-Paul Pairing

August 27th, 2017 at 10:33am CST by Arthur Hill

After re-signing with the Rockets this summer, veteran center Nene is eager to see new addition Chris Paul join James Harden in the backcourt, writes Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype. “It will be an unbelievable experience to play with James and Chris,” he said. “James is the best offensive player in the game and Chris is an amazing ball player as well. They can score from anywhere on the court and they both have a basketball IQ that’s off the charts.”

Poll: Where Will Carmelo Anthony Start Season?

August 24th, 2017 at 2:55pm CST by Luke Adams

For the last month, two stories have consistently remained at the top of the NBA news cycle: When and where will Kyrie Irving and Carmelo Anthony be traded? One of those two lingering offseason questions was answered earlier this week when the Cavaliers granted Irving’s trade request by sending him to Boston. However, there has still been no resolution for the other All-Star on the trade block.

Unlike Irving, who could have been dealt to any of the NBA’s 29 other teams, Anthony has a no-trade clause that allows him to block a move to any club. He has taken full advantage of that clause in his contract, having reportedly expressed a preference to go to Houston. However, trade talks between the Knicks and Rockets are “fairly dormant” — the two teams are at something of impasse, having been unable to find a third or fourth club to help facilitate a deal.

Earlier in the offseason, reports indicated that Anthony would also be willing to waive his no-trade clause to go to the Cavaliers, but that changed at some point. With the Irving situation resolved and Cleveland having secured a strong return for the star point guard, would Anthony reconsider his stance? There’s speculation that could be the case, though nothing concrete has been reported yet. And even if Anthony is on board, the Cavs could face the same challenges the Rockets have as they try to find a trade package the Knicks would accept.

Within his latest report on the Rockets and Knicks, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski indicated that the two sides are preparing for the possibility that Anthony will open training camp as a Knick. That likely won’t thrill the veteran forward, but it makes sense for the Knicks to remain patient if they’ve only received low-ball offers to date. If Carmelo gets frustrated by the lack of movement on the trade front, perhaps he’d be willing to expand his list of preferred landing spots, which could help New York find a more viable offer.

What do you think? By the time opening night rolls around in mid-October, will Anthony still be a Knick? Will he end up being traded to Houston or Cleveland, or will he eventually give the Knicks the go-ahead to send him somewhere else? Vote below in our poll and then jump into the comment section to share your thoughts.

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Carmelo Talks Between Knicks, Rockets ‘Fairly Dormant’

August 24th, 2017 at 1:04pm CST by Luke Adams

Trade discussions between the Knicks and Rockets regarding Carmelo Anthony have been “fairly dormant” as of late, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (video link). Wojnarowski suggests that the Rockets have been unsuccessful to date in their search to find a third or fourth team to facilitate a potential deal.

Back in July, as they brought aboard former Kings executive Scott Perry and made other changes to their front office, the Knicks put Anthony trade talks on hold. However, once Perry got settled and the Knicks re-assessed their options, the team re-engaged with the Rockets.

Although the lines of communication are once again open between the Knicks and Rockets, the same roadblocks remain in place. As has been the case all summer, New York has no interest in taking back Ryan Anderson‘s contract, and it would be difficult for the Rockets to match salaries without including the veteran sharpshooter. Houston would have to find a third team to take on Anderson, but that appears to have been a dead end so far.

Anthony holds a no-trade clause and the Rockets have long been his preferred destination. In the wake of this week’s Kyrie Irving trade, there has been speculation that Carmelo may once again become open to the idea of going to the Cavs, but even if he’s willing to waive his no-trade clause for Cleveland, it would be a challenge for the Cavs and Knicks to find a deal that appeals to both teams.

While the Cavs were able to find a trade partner for Irving with a month to go before training camp, the Knicks and Rockets are preparing for the possibility that Anthony may still be a Knick when camp opens in late September, per Wojnarowski.

Cavaliers May Have Improved Chances For Carmelo Anthony

August 23rd, 2017 at 10:02pm CST by Arthur Hill

Carmelo Anthony could take another look at the Cavaliers after Tuesday’s Kyrie Irving trade, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post.

Anthony had originally named Cleveland and Houston as teams he was willing to waive his no-trade clause to join, but he later trimmed that list to just the Rockets.

However, the package of assets the Cavs acquired from Boston makes them a more attractive trading partner for the Knicks and maybe a better destination for Anthony, according to Berman.

He adds that Cleveland only wanted to talk about Kristaps Porzingis when New York tried to get in on the Irving sweepstakes, but the Cavaliers may have more interest in picking up Anthony for a one-year run at a title before he, LeBron James and Isaiah Thomas all possibly become free agents next summer.

Berman also speculates that Anthony might be getting “antsy” while waiting for Houston to come up with a third, and maybe fourth, team to facilitate a deal.

The Knicks would love to pick up Cleveland’s Jae Crowder, Berman adds, although he can’t be traded for 60 days. Also, the Nets’ first-rounder that the Cavs acquired frees them to trade their own 2018 pick. New York may also have interest in taking back former first-round choice Iman Shumpert now that ex-president Phil Jackson is no longer in the front office.

Berman notes that an Anthony buyout is unlikely with Steve Mills as president, so a trade will be needed to get the unhappy star out of town. However, that may change if no deal is made before the February deadline and the team decides the savings are worth it, although his $27,928,140 option year would still count against the cap.

Elvin Hayes Involved In Group Trying To Buy Rockets

August 22nd, 2017 at 1:16pm CST by Luke Adams

Another potential investor of note has been linked to the Rockets, as Hall-of-Famer Elvin Hayes confirmed to Fox 26 Houston that he is part of a group that is looking to buy the franchise. As Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston details, the 12-time NBA All-Star confirmed that he and his group recently met with Rockets CEO Tad Brown.

“We have met with the Rockets, and had a very cordial and a very nice, in-depth visit,” Hayes said. “We feel good about our meeting with the Rockets, and I think they felt good with us. … We have some very strong people in this group. We could do some very good things with this organization, with this team.”

Hayes, who played his college ball at the University of Houston before joining the Rockets, is one of a handful of Houston athletes and celebrities who have expressed some interest in getting involved with the purchase of the franchise. Beyoncé, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Dikembe Mutombo are among the others linked to the Rockets sale within the last month and a half.

Of course, like those other big names, Hayes wouldn’t have the means to be the primary stakeholder in the franchise, so his group figures to include at least one person capable of making that kind of investment. Hayes declined to identify members of his group, but suggested that Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta – who previously expressed interest in buying the Rockets – would make for a good owner if Hayes’ group doesn’t win out.

“If we are not fortunate enough to be successful in this endeavor, I feel that Tilman would be a person that could really bring great benefit to this basketball team and this city,” Hayes said. “If we are not where we need to be, I feel that Tilman would be the person really to do amazing things with this basketball team.”

Dan Friedkin and Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale are among the other big-money investors who are said to have some interest in making a bid for the Rockets, who were put up for sale in July by current owner Leslie Alexander.

Rockets Sign Demetrius Jackson To Two-Way Deal

August 21st, 2017 at 4:22pm CST by Luke Adams

AUGUST 21, 4:22PM: The signing is official, the team tweets.

JULY 28, 11:08PM: Two weeks after being waived by the Celtics, Demetrius Jackson has found a new home. According to Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders (Twitter link), Jackson has agreed to terms on a two-way contract with the Rockets.

Jackson, who will turn 23 in September, was the 45th overall pick in the 2016 draft and signed an NBA contract with the Celtics. However, given the crowded depth chart in Boston, the Notre Dame product didn’t see much action for the C’s, briefly appearing in just five games. He did play in 32 games for the Maine Red Claws, averaging 14.8 PPG, 6.0 APG, and 5.1 RPG in the G League.

With the Celtics adding several new players to the roster this offseason, there wasn’t room for Jackson, whose salary was partially guaranteed. His new two-way contract with the Rockets will have a modest starting salary, but taking into account the money he’s still earning from the Celtics, Jackson could end up earning close to the NBA minimum if he spends a portion of the season with Houston’s NBA team.

Jackson worked out earlier this week for the Hornets, who were on the lookout for a possible third point guard.

For more details on how two-way contracts work, be sure to check out our FAQ.